NOT LONG AFTER WE MOVED in (more than seven years ago — the longest we have ever lived anyplace in our nearly 39 years together), we had vertical blinds installed in all the windows. SG uses them all the time in his office to reduce the glare on his computer screen. I use them in my office for privacy since that window looks onto our entry hall. We use them in the bedroom so the sun won’t wake us up in the morning. The only time they’re closed in the living room is when we watch TV. I don’t really like having the TV in the living room, but having two offices and one bedroom, and no den, it’s our only choice. Besides, we’ve taken to having lunch and dinner in front of the set.
We didn’t plan very well, however, and didn’t buy totally opaque blinds. San Geraldo, who’s eyes are very sensitive to the light, watched TV with his sunglasses on. And if we watched film noire, or a dramatically lit series, we couldn’t even see the images on the screen. So, finally, I ordered new blinds and they were installed today. We just watched another episode of “Blindspot” on HBO and we saw every little detail. No blind spots! I also had the new blinds start at the ceiling instead of right above the doors. It gives the room more height.
I’m off one more time for the orthodontist. If this is not the last visit, you may hear me pop my cork — no matter how far away you live. I’ve been saving up for one summation of my experience. At least I’ll get another walk home along the Mediterranean Sea on this warm, sunny, summer-like day.
At top is a shot from yesterday’s walk on the beach. The sand was so hot I burned the bottoms of my feet before putting my sandals back on. Oh, feel sorry for me!
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NO MUCHO DESPUÉS DE MUDARNOS (hace más de siete años, el más largo que hemos vivido en un lugar en nuestros casi 39 años juntos), teníamos persianas verticales instaladas en todas las ventanas. San Geraldo los usa todo el tiempo en su oficina para reducir el brillo en la pantalla de su ordenador. Los uso en mi oficina por privacidad ya que esa ventana da a nuestro pasillo de entrada. Los usamos en la habitación para que el sol no nos despierte por la mañana. La única vez que están cerrados en la salón es cuando vemos la televisión. Realmente no me gusta tener el televisión en la salón, pero tener dos oficinas y un dormitorio, y no un estudio, es nuestra única opción. Además, comenzamos a almorzar y cenar frente al set.
Sin embargo, no planificamos muy bien y no compramos persianas totalmente opacas. San Geraldo, cuyos ojos son muy sensibles a la luz, miraba la televisión con sus gafas de sol. Y si viéramos una película negra o una serie dramáticamente iluminada, ni siquiera podríamos ver las imágenes en la pantalla. Entonces, finalmente, ordené nuevas persianas y se instalaron hoy. Acabamos de ver otro episodio de “Blindspot” (Punto Ciego) en HBO y vimos cada pequeño detalle. No hay puntos ciegos! También hice que las nuevas persianas comenzaran en el techo en lugar de justo encima de las puertas. Le da a la habitación más altura.
Me voy ahora, una vez más, al ortodoncista. Si esta no es la última visita, es posible que me escuches gritar sin importar qué tan lejos vivas. He estado ahorrando para un resumen de mi experiencia. Al menos volveré a casa caminando por el mar Mediterráneo en este día cálido, soleado y veraniego.
En la parte superior hay una foto del paseo de ayer por la playa. La arena estaba tan caliente que me quemé las plantas de los pies antes de volver a ponerme las sandalias. ¡Oh, lástima por mí!
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What a view! Ohhhhh là là!
Judy:
We often take it for granted and then … we wake up.
Very nice! I need to have it dark when watching television. Light is too distracting for me.
Deedles:
I don’t like it completely dark, but I do like it dark enough to see the screen. We really were often watching a blacked out screen.
Tut! Do not blow your cork nor walk outside in your bare feet.
BTW < what sort of sunglasses?
Urspo:
SG has those sunglasses you wear OVER your glasses. Enormous and covering sides and from above. Here, people think they’re cool!
I say sit and watch the ocean anyhow…much more better then the old tube is anyhow.
Mistress Maddie:
We only watch movies, documentaries, and special series on TV. And THEN we watch the sea.
Nice blinds! They are very effective without being intrusive. Our house in MN had little mini-blinds INSIDE the double-paned Pella windows. I loved them because I never had to clean them in the 20 years we owned the house.
Wilma:
I love those sealed mini blinds. SG had them in one of the buildings in which he worked but we’ve never had them at home.
Smart move, especially since we all are spending more time at home together. And taking it all the way to the ceiling definitely looks better. Poor baby….burned his feet. If I stuck my feet in the sand right now they might freeze (not really but it’s raining buckets and about 10 degrees right now – bloody hell usually it’s 25 degrees in June, we’ve had a nasty one)
Cheapchick:
I had gotten a quote more than a year ago to replace them and we decided to not bother. Wish I had done it BEFORE lockdown, but it sure was nice to watch TV yesterday! Can’t believe the nasty weather you’re having. We’re in summer! Around 30C today, sunny, and feels hot!
I think I may have heard that SCREAM from here along the Atlantic seaboard of eastern Canada!!
Think of how good you’ll look with ‘new’ teeth!
We are [playing with the idea a swell to have new blinds installed. We are both light-sensitive now (WTH).
Your blinds look great!
Jim:
The story (abridged) will be coming soon. I’m done! Didn’t scream and yell but so happy to be out of there. With my new lenses, i’m more light-sensitive, too. SG has always been. His eyes are the color of the sky and clouds, so not much pigment. But it was really the pits that it was impossible to make out what was on the TV screen. It’s wonderful now.
Nice blinds! I burned the bottom of my feet once on a blisteringly hot sidewalk in Winnipeg when I was 18. I never went barefoot on pavement again. So yes, I feel your pain.
Debra:
I seriously burned my feet the same way, but on the road in Miami Beach one July (I was 14). Wow, did that hurt. Blistered. Peeled. Like you, I don’t do THAT anymore.
I love that picture of the beach. It is rainy and damp here in central Virginia today, and the picture reminded me that yes, it is indeed summer.
mcpersonalspace54:
Yeah, we’ve been experiencing summer. It’s glorious but we’ll all soon be complaining about the heat I’m sure!
Great new blinds! And lucky you for having not one but TWO offices! I am still reeling at the offhand mention of 39 years together! Oh that I had been so lucky when I was younger. Fortunately I eventually found out which team I batted for, and my husband and I have been together 13 years this month.
David:
We have a SMALL 3-bedroom apartment. One bedroom… and two offices. We can NOT share. I’m a neat freak (usually) in my office and SG is a disaster. We tried once years ago. He’s lucky to have survived. Congratulations on 13 years … happy anniversary! I wish I could say I was 17 when we met, but even then I wouldn’t be so young now! I was 27 and he was 32, and I had only just come out.
39 years – OY! I second maddie – I’d rather watch the sea than the tv.
anne marie:
We don’t watch any standard television. Just documentaries, movies, and special series that distract us from our reality. THEN, we go out and take in the view. We had a huge party for our 1st anniversary, and again for our 10th. I don’t think either of us could have imagined 39… or being this old.
I think taking them up to the ceiling makes a big difference. Very nice!
Walt the Fourth:
We didn’t realize that until after they were installed. It really makes a huge difference. I’m glad our ceilings aren’t standard height, but they’re still not very high. Anything helps. Would love to knock into the apartment above. We could create a cathedral ceiling in the living room and then actually have decent floor space, as well. Oh well, can’t have everything. I have to just keep reminding myself about the location and the view.